What the back pages say: Juventus want Liverpool's Xabi, Bilic to be new Chelsea boss, Owen set for

29 April 2009 09:07

DAILY MAIL

Guus Hiddink claimed Petr Cech was back to his best after an outstanding performance in the Nou Camp helped Chelsea to a 0-0 draw against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg last night.

BARCA 0 CHELSEA 0: Cech holds Catalans at bay

Also: Andrey Arshavin's agent is claiming that Barcelona and other top clubs are interested in luring him away from Arsenal, and that Gunners stars Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are jealous of the Russian striker's sudden popularity in London.

BARCELONA CALLING: Arshavin could be driven from Arsenal by his mates

Hooray, no more trips to Hull: Xabi Alonso is wanted by Juventus - again

THE TIMES

Chelsea survived a battering from Barcelona at the Nou Camp last night to emerge with a goalless draw that keeps their hopes of reaching a second successive Champions League final in the balance.

Also: Andrew Strauss, the England captain, offered support yesterday for Andrew Flintoff, the all-rounder, who has had a successful operation on his right knee.

Also: Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal will at last be crowned kings of Europe.Slaven Bilic has emerged as a shock contender to become Chelsea's new boss.Juventus are ready to test Rafa Benitez's resolve with a renewed bid to sign Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.Michael Vaughan will fail to gain an England recall today - and that puts his Ashes hopes in serious doubt.

THE INDEPENDENT

Steve Clarke, first-team coach at West Ham, has joined his manager Gianfranco Zola in signing a new contract to stay at Upton Park until 2013.

Also: It is eight months since Beijing bade farewell to the 2008 Olympics but the files have only just opened on six more athletes who have been caught in the drug-testing net.

THE GUARDIAN

The resilience of Chelsea was formidable and it has preserved their hopes of a return to the Champions League final.

Also: Arsene Wenger articulated his firm belief that he and Arsenal would one day win the Champions League, as he prepared his team for the first leg of their semi-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford.Manchester City have denied they have made a bid for Samuel Eto'o and said they are not preparing an offer for the28-year-old, whose Barcelona deal has little more than a year to run.MichaelVaughan's future will again become the subject of mounting speculation today if,as indications suggest, he is excluded from England's 12 for next week's firstTest against West Indies at Lord's.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

John Terry last night hailed a "fantastic result" as Chelsea became the first team this season to shut out Barcelona at the Nou Camp with a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Also: Michael Owen's lack of goals may have deepened Newcastle United's relegation worries but the out-of-form striker still remains in contention for a recall to the Englandsquad.

DAILY MIRROR

Courageous Chelsea withstood an ordeal by Catalan fire to put themselves in the Champions League driving seat last night.

Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed tonight's Champions League showdown between Manchester United and Arsenal as the "perfect" semi-final.Stephen Hendry rolled back the years with a vintage 147 on the day plans were unveiled for a statue of himoutside The Crucible.

DAILY STAR

Battling Chelsea earned a magnificent goalless draw at the Nou Camp last night.

Also: Sir Alex Ferguson will tell his Manchester United players: Stop Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott and you can stop Arsenal.Defiant Alan Shearer will keep faith with his out-of-sorts Michael Owen - claiming he remains Newcastle's best bet of avoiding relegation.

DAILY EXPRESS

Chelsea left the Nou Camp last night with their heads held high having shut out Europe's most potent attack, holding Barcelona to a 0-0 draw.

Also: Arsene Wenger has told Sir Alex Ferguson to forget his old enemy JoseMourinho - Arsenal are the special ones now.Juventus are preparing to make Xabi Alonso their top summer target 12 months after failing to prise him from Liverpool.